Issues for long term missionaries

Thursday, I met with Bridge Builders president Chuck Kelley - an evangelical organisation building relationships mostly between churches in Latvia and the USA. The main thing I wanted to do was make contact and ask about the invitation letters .
We had some things in common, He accually was at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa in the seventies during the tent days, is friends with Thomas Kinkade, has visited Monterey and has fascilitated a sister church relationship between a Calvary in Southern California and I think a Baptist Church here.
As far as who can issue invitation letters for religious residency permits, Bridge Builders cannot. According to Chuck, only registered religious confessions can: Baptist, Lutherin, Catholic, Orthodox and Jewish. [see the next post for what others say about this issue] So, what does that mean? Latvia makes it difficult for new groups/movements/churches to come in (at least officially for a long period of time). We can be here for up to 6 months a year freely (3 months between Jan-June, 3 months between July-Dec), but to be here year round, we need a residency permit. There are other kinds of residency permits like for business and such. It might be a possibility to work (whether money can be made is questionable) but if I have a trade it might open the door year round - with strings attached.
But my desire is to be free to focus on building up the body of Christ and my family, to pour my self out into reaching lost souls and discipling new believers and still have enough time and energy for daily necessities. The Baptists have helped others with the invitations provided that they approve of the work that is being reported to them. Perhaps some relationship building in this direction would be fruitful.

Please continue to pray for God's will concerning the invitation letter and future ministry here.

If it is God's will for us to be here long term as Missionaries, then He will open the door as we pray. I believe that God has been preparing us for this place for a long time. There hasn't really been any culture shock, it feels more like home. We have some really good connections so far and there is definitely a need for pastors, church plantors and evangelists. God may be putting together a team (there is another family who is praying about moving here from a Calvary Chapel in Russia). He has given us a heart for both the Russian people and the Latvian people. It is very helpful to already be semi-fluent in Russian as most of the people we meet can speak Russian, but many Latvians want to speak Latvian (which we are beginning to learn). It is interesting that children are required to learn English in school as a second language, but they also have the choice between Russian and German as a third.
Anyway, my time is running out...

I just want to add that I have been able to bring my guitar on the street and play worship in english and Russian but mostly being friendly has opened doors to preach the gospel. It is sad how many people there are who have no idea how to get to heaven, much less how God wants them to live here. However I would encourage you to read recent news articles about how Latvians are standing up against the homosexual agenda.

More soon, and keep praying for latvia!